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Rob makes an impact at Parkwood
 You may remember last year we featured a new community cohesion project based on a housing estate in West Yorkshire. Three CSV Full Time Volunteers were helping to make a positive impact on the estate where there are a range of social issues including anti-social and nuisance behaviour.
We interviewed Robert Line (above, right), 27, from Lancashire, in his first few weeks at the project. Eight months on and Robert has just completed his placement. Here he reflects on how it went and the impact his volunteering has had:
"Lots of the work focused on children at the estate – I found them to be really keen to be involved in all the activities we arranged such as Halloween, Christmas and Easter events and after school activities. We were able to take the young people to Bradford ice rink and an overnight camping trip which allowed them to get away from some of the issues that they face living at Parkwood.
I’ve been most surprised by the disinterest from some of the adults on the estate. All too often the kids get blamed for an estate’s problems, but I found it was actually the older people who took more convincing and were harder to get through to. Reaching the younger people will mean they’ll grow up with a better sense of community though, so I’m really proud of that.
We looked at regenerating the area around the estate to make it more pleasant and we planned a recycling day to increase awareness of environmental issues and ways the community could do their bit.
My volunteering experience has been challenging at times, but certainly very positive and I’m really glad I’ve done it. It’s given me real insight into the type of work I’d like to do and has led to me getting a job in London helping disadvantaged young people to achieve their potential and hopefully access university education – something I feel very passionate about. If I hadn’t volunteered I don’t think I would have had a chance at getting the job!”
Volunteers help Luke make the most of university life
 Luke is studying History at the University of Reading and has Duchenne Muscular Dystrophy. He has a team of four CSV Full Time Volunteers who help by providing practical assistance and support, enabling him to study and live independently on campus.
The volunteers help Luke to explore all the opportunities available to him and make the most out of his time at university. They support him with physical tasks and personal care, as well as facilitating any choices he makes with regard to how he wants to spend his free time.
Luke stays on campus in self-catering accommodation with the volunteers living in separate rooms nearby. The volunteers go shopping with him, prepare most of his meals and help him keep his personal living space clean and tidy.
Luke says: “Volunteers help to facilitate my independence. I have been able to adjust and make the most of university life with my volunteers”.
Carsten, 20, a CSV Full Time Volunteer supporting Luke, says: “Being able to support someone to go through university and help them access the community and everything that is open to them is a challenging but very rewarding experience. Being the same age as many of the students helps us to fit in and offer discreet support to Luke which doesn’t look out of place on the campus. We also have a lot of laughs together so it often feels more like friends helping each other than volunteering”.
Apply now for 2011
If you would like to be part of the story and help to make a positive impact on the lives of others, you can apply to become a CSV Full Time Volunteer at anytime throughout the year. However we are particularly keen to hear from people who would like to volunteer towards the end of the year or in early 2011.
To find out more about volunteering with CSV please visit our website or click here to apply online.
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CSV projects tell us about the value that volunteers bring to their work...
"The dedication, loyalty and enthusiasm of the volunteers generated by giving up a year of their time is priceless. We as an organisation would struggle to deliver the best care without our volunteers. Many of our volunteers stay with us to become full time staff - what better advertisement for CSV could you ask for.”
Helen, Volunteer Supervisor at St Elisabeth's School, a residential school for young people aged 5 to 19 with moderate to severe learning difficulties.
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“Over the past 17 years we have had a great number of CSV volunteers and they have contributed with ideas, project development proposals and inter-cultural understanding.
A big thank you to CSV and all the individuals who have shaped the work of the shelter and helped our homeless residents.”
Pernille, Shelter Manager at Colchester Night Shelter which provides temporary bed and breakfast for up to 20 homeless people
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"Working in partnership with CSV has been rewarding and has given another dimension to the service we provide. With fresh ideas and positive perspective I feel that CSV volunteers can add value and richness to our project"
Aaron, Volunteer Supervisor at Values, a project enabling people with learning disabilities to volunteer in mainstream organisations and become an active part of the community
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“I can’t imagine life without CSV volunteers. When I go out to work, I know that one of them is always there for Jo.
It really is a partnership. Volunteers bring with them enthusiasm, warmth, care, fun, and conversation: they work hard and generously, and our life is so much richer because of them."
John, whose wife Jo has cerebral palsy and is supported by CSV Full Time Volunteers in their home in Birmingham
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How to contact us:
T 0800 374 991
T 0121 643 7690
E volunteer@csv.org.uk
W www.csv.org.uk
Please quote "BTNJUL" when contacting us |
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We regularly receive feedback from our volunteers and the partner organisations we work with saying how CSV Full Time Volunteering has had a positive impact on their lives or on the work they do and how it has made a real difference to people and communities. 